title: A hybrid two-component system of Tannerella forsythia affects autoaggregation and post-translational modification of surface proteins.
abstract: Tannerella forsythia is a Gram-negative oral anaerobe closely associated with both periodontal and periapical diseases. The ORF TF0022 of strain ATCC 43037 encodes a hybrid two-component system consisting of an N-terminal histidine kinase and a C-terminal response regulator. Disruption of the TF0022 locus enhanced autoaggregation of the broth-cultured cells. Comparative proteome analyses revealed that two S-layer proteins in the TF0022 mutant exhibited decreased apparent masses by denaturing gel electrophoresis, suggesting a deficiency in post-translational modification. Furthermore, the mutant decreased the production of a glycosyltransferase encoded by TF1061 that is located in a putative glycosylation-related gene cluster. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed reduced transcription of TF1061 and the associated genes in the TF0022 mutant. These results indicate that TF0022 upregulates the expression of the glycosylation-related genes and suggest modulation of the autoaggregation of T. forsythia cells by a possible post-translational modification of cell-surface components.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Niwa
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D041963:Bacteroidetes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D000071677:Histidine Kinase; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011494:Protein Kinases; D000071677:Histidine Kinase